Description
Bold & Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti brings weeknight comfort with a spicy, rich twist. This easy recipe is full of flavor and perfect for a family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- Flavor Boosters:
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Dairy & Fat:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Pasta & Chicken:: First things first, get that spaghetti boiling! I always add a generous pinch of salt to the water; it’s the only chance to season the pasta itself, and honestly, this is where I always forget. While that’s happening, cube your chicken breasts into nice, even pieces. Toss them in a bowl with about a tablespoon of that glorious Cajun seasoning. You want them coated well, ready to sizzle. The kitchen starts to smell amazing already, a promise of the Bold & Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti to come!
- Sear the Chicken:: Grab your biggest skillet and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add a swirl of olive oil and a pat of butter. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your seasoned chicken. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or it won’t brown properly; you might need to do this in batches, and that’s okay! We’re looking for a beautiful golden crust here, not just cooked-through. Once browned, pull the chicken out and set it aside. Don’t clean the pan! Those browned bits are flavor gold for our Bold & Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti sauce.
- Build the Flavor Base:: Into that same pan, add another tiny pat of butter if needed. Toss in your diced onion and bell pepper. Let them soften up, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes. You want them tender, not mushy. Then, stir in that minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for just a minute more, until you can really smell the garlic and the tomato paste darkens slightly. This step is where the magic really begins for the Bold & Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti sauce!
- Create the Creamy Sauce:: Pour in your chicken broth and scrape up all those lovely browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s called deglazing, and it’s super important for flavor! Let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly. Then, slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it thicken slightly. This is where the sauce starts to get that velvety texture for our Bold & Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti.
- Combine & Simmer:: Now, return your seared chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Give it a good stir to coat everything. Let it simmer gently for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking through and soak up all those incredible Cajun flavors. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust the seasoning. Does it need more salt? Another dash of Cajun seasoning for an extra kick? Trust your taste buds, hon.
- Finish & Serve:: Finally, drain your cooked spaghetti and add it directly to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the spaghetti is beautifully coated. Stir in that freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, making it even more luscious. Garnish with fresh parsley. The whole dish should look vibrant, smell spicy and rich, and taste like a big, warm hug. Seriously, this Bold & Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti is a winner every time.